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Friday, March 22, 2013

The Do's and Don'ts of Being An Intern

Whether it is your first or third time as an intern, you will come to realize no internship is ever exactly the same. Although your duties as an intern may vary, your behavior should always remain the same; be diligent, willing and professional.

The internship process can get tricky sometimes, especially if it is your first time. Here are some great "Do's and Don'ts" to remember when interning, provided by PR specialist Lorra Brown:

Don’t ever enter a
meeting, even an informal drop by from your manager, without a notebook and
pen.

Don’t be afraid to tell
your manager you’d like to be busy—ask for more work.

Don’t be a social media
or text addict; checking your status and phone can wait.

Don’t leave
for lunch or at the end of the day without checking with your boss or peers to
see if they need help with anything before you go.

Don’t decorate your cube
with college party pictures; you are a working adult now.

Don’t party. You may be
at a fun work function or event, but you are working (regardless of how much
fun your bosses may seem to be having).

Do proofread
everything. No matter how mundane the task or email may seem, attention to
detail and pride of ownership will pay off.

Do take
initiative and come up with ideas for projects, pitches, organization, etc.
Show your value. Great ideas can come from anywhere, including the
intern.

Do ask
questions and ask for clarification if you are unsure of an assignment. Asking
your manager to help you prioritize is wise, too.

Do provide
short check-in emails or updates to your manager regarding the status of
projects.

Do solicit
feedback and ask for areas in which you need to improve.

Do treat
this as a job audition. Most companies are looking at you as a possible future
colleague.